Equine Behaviour Flashcards
1
Q
What were horses original structure - hyracotherium?
A
- was 20 to 35 kg (similar to fox size)
- ate leaves and succulents
- molars larger than premolars
- short legs, 4 digits front feet, 3 digits hind feet
- pads on toes not hooves
2
Q
Trends in evolution?
A
- increase in body size
- development and specialisation of brain
- decrease in number of functioning toes
- loss of toe pads and development of hooves
- lengthening of limbs and fusion of lower limbs
3
Q
Natural behaviours of the horse?
A
- originally a prey species
- live in open space, cannot hide from predators
- original response to flight, body structure allows for high speed escapes
- safe to be in herd, understand hierarchy
4
Q
Describe the structure of the herd?
A
- has 1 or more stallions, multiple mares and offspring
- highest ranking stallion does most of breeding
- most dominant mare guides herd and is deemed the boss
- aggression establishes herd hierarchy
5
Q
How were foals raised?
A
- foals are encouraged to follow their mother and herd
- they are weaned around 9 months and remain with the herd until 18 months of age
- herd teaches them communication, what to eat/not eat and survival techniques
6
Q
What were their eating behaviours?
A
- 50 to 70% of hours a day eating
- they are selective grazers
- wood gnawing
7
Q
How has enrichment changed in domesticated horses?
A
- wild horses spend a lot of time playing with herd so domesticated horses should have the opportunity to display these behaviours
- they could be provided with objects they can scratch on, wood to chew, different surfaces or height to investigate
8
Q
How has stress changed in domesticated horses?
A
- when horses needs are not met this can cause stress
- stress is a major reason behavioural problems occur
- signs of stress include stamping, kicking, grunting, lying down, rearing, biting and bolting
9
Q
How has stabling changed domesticated horses?
A
- restricts them from carrying out natural behaviours such as travelling many miles
- they cannot escape if scared, restricts their flight reaction
- movement restriction causes unwanted behaviours which can be due to boredom
- roaming restrictions reduce grazing, social interactions, learning and relaxation
10
Q
How has domestication caused reproductive problems?
A
- stallions kept stabled tend to have lower testosterone levels than those in the wild
- have lower success rates with AI
- stallions presented with unfamiliar mares, in wild they would select them
11
Q
How has domestication changed how foals are raised?
A
- weaned at 6 months
- abrupt weaning puts mare and foal under stress and deprives foal from learning development
- hand rearing should be disciplined when appropriate and they should be introduced to a sympathetic adult horse asap
12
Q
What problems has domestication caused?
A
- young horses that are stabled restricts growth, increased boredom and stress
- hacking or competing individually takes horses away from their herd, and takes horses into the unknown
- travelling enters confined spaces, temperature changes and stress factors
13
Q
How has domestication changed how horses learn?
A
- classical conditioning and counter conditioning replaces the switching on of a reflex with a rear ding pathway
- operant conditioning creates consequences in response to a specific behaviour
- positive reinforcement provides rewards following a desired behaviour and increases the frequency of the response
- negative reinforcement is the removal of aversive stimulus following correct behaviour
14
Q
What is their average life span?
A
Approx 25 to 30 years
15
Q
What are their life stages, including ages?
A
- foal 0 to 12 months
- weanling 6 months
- yearling 12 months
- filly (female) 1 to 4 years then mare onwards
- colt (male) 1 to 4 years then stallion or gelding
